NovEMBER 8, 1906 | 
NA TPORE 
lecturer put forward as a tentative hypothesis the theory 
that, underlying the gross and visible micro-structure of 
the steel, there existed a molecular structure, which in 
the present state of knowledge could not be detected, 
except in rare cases, by the microscope. It was suggested 
that this molecular structure was brought about by improper 
heat treatment developing in the ferrite from a series 
centres well developed mineral cleavage. On the circum- 
ference of these centres existed areas in which the mole- 
cular cleavage was less perfectly developed, and beyond 
these were the areas of good steel, in which the cleavage 
lines were extremely imperfect. It was then easy to 
conceive that the plane of dynamic fracture in a perfectly 
developed cleavage area might give the remarkably low 
record of having endured only 230 alternations, as in the 
table previously exhibited on the screen, whilst a_test- 
piece in which the plane of fracture went through an area 
of good steel free from what might be called cleavage 
disease might readily endure 1290 alternations before break- 
of 
ing, and a third test-piece from the middle zone of some- 
what developed cleavage might endure, say, 7oo alter- 
nations. This theory, at any rate, was in accordance with 
the mechanical facts which had been presented. Another 
step towards the experimental verification of this hypothesis 
would be to prove that iron was a veritable mineral, as 
capable of exhibiting geometrical cleavage as was, say, 
fluor-spar or Carrara marble. Fortunately the lecturer 
Fic. 3. 
found himself in a position, by what might be called a 
million-to-one chance, clez irly to prove that iron could 
possess absolutely perfect mineral cleavage parallel to the 
faces of the cube. This discovery came in no heroic form 
from the swift-moving machinery of a destroyer or in con- 
nection with metal forming the stupendous engines of a 
battleship, but in connection with a wrought-iron bolt, 
literally forming part of a common or garden gate-post. 
This fractured under the taps of a hand-hammer during 
repairs, and one of the crystals cleaved exactly at right 
angles to the axis of the bolt, and consequently when the 
fractured end was cut off in the lathe for examination, it 
was found at right angles to the axis of the microscope, 
exhibiting the wonderfully perfect cubic cleavage delineated 
in Fig. 3. 
Metallurgists had now arrived at a deadlock. The micro- 
scope, after rendering great services, had in its turn broken 
down, mainly owing to the fact that optical examinations 
associated with transmitted light could not be applied to 
opaque objects, and in more senses than one the scientific 
metallurgist could not yet see through steel. Nevertheless, 
he must endeavour to tear down this mysterious veil or 
in some way get behind it, and in the lecturer’s opinion 
the resources of science in connection with steel metallurgy 
were not yet exhausted. 
NO. 1932, VOL. 75| 
UNIVERSITY AND. EDUC 
INTELLIGENCE. 
ATIONAL 
Mr. A. C. Sewarp, F.R.S., has been appointed professo 
of botany in the University of Cambridge in succession to 
the late Prof. Marshall Ward. 
We learn from Science that Mr. J. A. Creighton, one 
of the founders of Creighton University, Omaha, Nebr., 
has presented to that institution two buildings worth 
about 100,000l. 
AN interesting educational development in Manchester 
is recorded in the Electrician. The Corporation of that 
city has just decided to take approved students from the 
School of Technology into the electricity works for a 
three years’ training, giving them a certain small but 
increasing salary during that time. This privilege is to 
be restricted to sons of Manchester ratepayers. 
that Mr. A. C. Chapin has 
given Williams College an additional gift of 10,000/., to 
be used by the truste without restriction, and that Mr. 
C. T. Barney has given 2o000l. to the college. It is stated 
that the fund for Oberlin College, as completed, amounts 
to 100,3001. This includes the following funds :—25, o00l. 
for a new library building given by Mr. Andrew Carnegie, 
20,0001. for library endowment, 20 ,oool, from an anonymous 
donor in Boston for the increase of salaries of teachers in 
the college and seminary, and 30,0001. for miscellaneous 
It is announced in Science 
purposes. The gift of the Boston donor enables the trustees 
to increase by 4ol. the salaries of twenty-four full pro- 
fessors. 
Tue following announcement appears in the volume of 
Regulations (Cd. 3201) just issued by the Board of Educa- 
tion containing the prospectus of the Royal College of 
Science, London, with which is incorporated the Royal 
School of Mines (session 1906-7) :—‘‘ It is probable that 
as a result of the investigation made by the departmental 
committee lately appointed by the President of the Board 
of Education, various changes will be made in the organ- 
isation and relations of the Royal College of Science, in- 
cluding the Royal School of Mines. The Board therefore 
give notice that the arrangements detailed in this pro- 
spectus are subject to such alterations as they may deter- 
mine in respect of the classes for the college session, 
1906-7, and of courses of study in future.” 
Tue last report of the Scotch Education Department 
dealing with secondary education in Scotland directs 
attention to a new departure in the method of awarding 
leaving and intermediate certificates. The report states 
that last year the aid of the teacher was actively enlisted 
in determining the question of success or failure, and that 
much weight was attached to a pupil’s school record, as 
properly attested by his teacher, in the allocation of school 
bursaries. The secretary puts it on record that events 
have completely justified the confidence of the Department. 
The teachers, as a body, have risen to the responsibility 
that was placed upon them. Of course there were cases 
of miscalculation by the teacher, but these were rare 
exceptions. The success which this Scottish experiment 
has met in the direction of humanising the methods of 
appraising knowledge and intellectual training, with the 
object of selecting the best pupils, should encourage those 
responsible for examinations south of the Tweed to in- 
crease their efforts to abolish the mechanical character of 
many of the current tests to which young students are 
subjected. 
THE annual general 
Teachers in Technical Institutes was held on Saturday, 
October 27. Mr. W. J. Lineham, president, occupied the 
chair, and Mr. V. Mundella was elected president for the 
ensuing year. The following resolutions were adopted :— 
aa) That the association urges the desirability of attend- 
ance at evening continuation schools between the ages of 
fourteen and sixteen being made compulsory upon all not 
in attendance at elementary or secondary schools. (2) That 
in view of the generally inadequate provision made in the 
present scholarship s schemes of local educational authori- 
ties for the needs of scientific, technological, and trade 
students, the local branches of the association be instructed 
to consider what amendments of local scholarship schemes 
meeting of the Association of 
